Ultimate Guide to Recycled Vinyl Record Crafts

Recycled crafts are not just in second-hand and eco-friendly stores. Coasters, clocks, picture frames and bags made by Terracycle are also being sold by Target [source: Target].

Recycled Vinyl Record Accessories

If you'd like to extend your record reusing beyond bowls, you might try making some great accessories like bracelets, headbands, coasters or picture frames.

To make bracelets and headbands you will need:

A record

A cookie sheet

Scissors

Something the shape of your wrist or head that you can use as a mold

Preheat your oven to 150 F (65 C ). As with the bowl project, you will need to bake your record on a cookie sheet for about eight to 10 minutes. Once it begins to melt, pull the record from the oven. Though it might be difficult to wield scissors with oven mitts on, you'll want to keep your hands covered, as the record will be very hot. Cut the record into long strips and then place them back in the oven to soften them again.

When you take the re-heated strips out of the oven, wrap them around an object the size of your wrist or your head -- depending on what you're making -- to ensure you get the desired size and shape [source: College Candy].

To make a set of four coasters you will need:

Four records

A cookie sheet

A pair of scissors

Contact paper

Felt

Glue

You will need to make the coasters one at a time. As with the previous crafts, begin by preheating your oven to 150 F (65 C ). Bake the record for eight to 10 minutes. When it is looks like it's beginning to melt, it's ready. Pull it from the oven and carefully cut around the center label -- this will be your coaster. Repeat this process with the other three records.

When you have finished cutting out your coasters, you can use the contact paper and felt to make them more durable. Use the contact paper to seal the top of each coaster. This protective layer will make them water resistant and preserve the label. To protect your tabletops from scratches, glue a layer of felt to the bottom of each coaster.

If you'd rather keep your oven for baking foods instead of records, read on to discover the best ways to paint your old albums.

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